By Angela Deppeler et Agnรจs Bourqui, Commission suisse pour la conservation des plantes cultivรฉes (cpc-skek)
Rediscovering traditional Alpine knowledge.. knowledge for the future!
Older breeds and varieties cannot simply be cultivated or bred from a gene bank without specific knowledge. However, there is a risk that traditional knowledge about the cultivation, breeding, selection, use and production techniques of traditional crops and breeds in Alpine regions will be lost. This would also mean the loss of a unique reservoir for new innovations. New value chains are often based on old know-how, as in the case of Valais rye bread. Take also the case of the Evolensian cow, which almost disappeared before being rediscovered as a dual-purpose breed, highly adapted to steep slopes. Fortunately, the relevance of a few farmers saved what can be called an export success well beyond the Valais today. Another example is illustrated by the various mountain potatoes, which are nowadays appreciated by chefs in the gastronomic kitchen, as they allow a distinct sensory experience thanks to their diversity of colours, shapes and aromas.
The “Fundus Agri-Cultura Alpina
In order to preserve this knowledge, the project “Fundus Agri-Cultura Alpina” was developed by the SAVE Foundation. The current platform brings together more than 700 entries in the categories “animals”, “plants”, “cultural techniques” and “customs” in a single online collection and is attracting a great deal of interest (up to 10,000 visits per month). The basic project focused on the German-speaking Alps. Following the principle of Wikipedia, the platform is largely maintained by volunteer editors working with particular races and varieties. Historical literature is an additional source.
Traditional animal breeds and crop varieties are primarily part of the classified biodiversity. With climate change, there is an additional argument for the conservation of varieties and breeds that are well adapted to their region. Finally, old varieties and breeds enrich the Alpine region, and tourism, culture and local markets benefit from the amazing diversity.
New project phase
According to the Fundus’ ambition, the platform is now to be extended to the French-speaking Alpine region (before evaluating the Italian-speaking option as well). Besides technical adjustments, this means above all generating French-speaking contributions. Just as there are agricultural practices, species and varieties that transcend the language barriers of the Alpine region, there are specialities that are adapted to regional needs that will have to be reflected.
The next phase of the project, implemented by the Swiss Commission for the Conservation of Cultivated Plants, therefore aims to find editors in the French-speaking Alpine and sub-Alpine region. We would like to integrate the knowledge of the members of the Swiss Association for Mountain Regions (SAB). These editors will be trained to make entries in the “Fundus”. Interested parties should contact the CPC (info@cpc-skek.ch).
Funding from the FOAG, two foundations and one canton is secured, but does not yet cover the entire budget. Once the necessary funds have been raised, the project can enter its new phase at the beginning of 2021 for a period of three years. Even if only part of the existing knowledge can be collected and made public via the Fundus platform, it is still a starting point for a new appreciation of local products.
Website: https://fundus-agricultura.wiki/
Contact: info@cpc-skek.ch
